6.14.2010

We are very pleased to report that you are in the top half of [free Internet dating site I will keep private for my mother's sake (besides, all the kids are doing it these days)] most attractive users. The scales recently tipped in your favor, and we thought you'd like to know.

Recently? Has the same photo recently become more attractive? Have a wave of similarly disillusioned 23-37-year-olds suddenly joined the Internet dating bandwagon? Seriously. Same photo. Since joining. I'm ashamed to admit how long ago.

The crux of the matter:Your new elite status comes with one important privilege: You will now see more attractive people in your match results.

Wait a minute, I haven't even seen the most attractive people so far? I didn't pay for this site, so I will instead ask for the time back that I spent on mostly awful to okay dates with apparently less attractive beings.

4.22.2010

Long story short, The Great Underemployment of 2009 lasted from May 2009-March 2010, wherein I lived off my savings and the generosity of my parents (I'll pay you back, Mom!) and the 10 or so hours of work per week I could beg my way into. I am now in The Great Overemployment of 2010, wherein I have three jobs and work an average of 70 hours per week. I only mind that these hours are spread across three locations, one of which takes an hour to get to or from and involves crossing a bridge or at least 2 forms of public transportation.

Today is unusual because I am tele-commuting-- being as I have a functioning computer at home, while the job I'm supposed to be at today does not-- which means I get to work from the comforts of my french press and pajamas. And I get to do laundry and run errands!

One might think having the time to blog today means I am not being terribly productive, and maybe that's true. But we all need a little breather once in a while. I don't earn any sick or vacation days at these jobs yet, so managing not to go crazy or get too sick are high priorities. In the last month and a half I've managed to work through the flu, split both corners of my lips while quickly scarfing down a too-big sandwich, and survive a gnarly and unidentified spider bite, which has either begun healing or is rotting my flesh.

If I can just make it to a plane on May 10, I will have worked approximately 9 weeks x 70 hours = 630 hours without a single full day/night off. And then I fly away to visit cousins and friends for a week. Kind of reminds me of working through school. Exhilarating, but at this point also pretty automated. I couldn't even sleep in past 9 this morning, but I was so excited not to be sitting in (entirely unpredictable) traffic that it was totally worth it.

12.20.2009

I'm particularly tickled by the "sherpa in the Himalayas" simile. From an email sent to the UC Berkeley community yesterday morning:

Please Announce: UCMeP Selects UC Berkeley Spokesman Dan Mogulof as the Top Outstanding Oratorical Leader (TOOL) of the Year

Dear Mr. Mogulof,

...As the official spokesman of UC Berkeley, you have been there whenever our administrators, “fearing for their lives” were forced to hide in “undisclosed locations.” You have spoken courageously and eloquently on their behalf, waxing poetically on the value of autocracy during times of emergency...

Your words have been like a light in darkness, a sherpa in the Himalayas, guiding the UC community and the larger public to conclusions that we simply could not have arrived at without your help...

...For all of this and more, sir, UCMeP commends you and is pleased to name you the Top Outstanding Oratorical Leader (TOOL) of 2009. Your unflappable unashamedness, always-for-sale rhetorical talents, and wild imagination are to be applauded. You truly embody everything a TOOL stands for.

As UCMeP’s TOOL of the Year, we recognize that you are not simply an easily replaceable propagandist as some might claim (we’re looking at you, http://moguloflies.wordpress.com/). No, you are a first-rate (and highly paid) rhetorician who has studied the greats: Socrates and Shakespeare, Goebbels and Glenn Beck. You have mastered their secrets and clearly grasp that out of rhetoric’s holy trinity (ethos, logos, and pathos), the strategy of preying on populist emotion will always prevail. Who needs logic or ethics when you can mobilize fear to get your point across?

...UCMeP also commends you for your unwavering commitment to the welfare (sorry to use such an ugly word) of the University of California. Considering your paltry salary of $155,861.55 (http://ucpay.globl.org), it is clear that you cherish UC Berkeley more than the students you regularly vilify in the press. Of course, your love for the university runs deeper than that of the student with a 4.0 GPA (who plans to work for Teach for America after graduation) who you and Governor Schwarzenegger recently defamed as a terrorist.

...We encourage you to not take your award lightly. Being named UCMeP’s TOOL of the Year comes with high expectations. You have received it not only in recognition of your past achievements, but also your incredible potential. We encourage you to continue finding innovative ways to challenge the students at the University of California. Keep thinking of new words and phrases to defame a movement that so dangerously calls for democracy, equality, diversity, justice, and the end of police violence. We send our most heartfelt congratulations, and are most confident that you will live up to the high standards of being a TOOL.

12.18.2009

You were, in short, great. I think I bought you in the 7th grade, at Old Navy. I remember re-sewing the strap a couple times. I'm sorry I let the guys who robbed me take you away (and probably dump you somewhere, empty and alone), but there was a gun. I hope you understand.

Love, Your friend in basic herringbone fashion

EDIT--

You have been recovered! Forlorn in a bush near the crime scene, a lovely officer brought you back at 2AM.

10.20.2009

You may have recently noticed, when backing into the middle parking space in front of our house, that you stopped. You probably thought this was due to your brakes, or hitting the curb, or some other such reasonable and responsible explanation.

Alas, no. In this instance you stopped because my car's pesky license plate jammed itself onto your trailer hitch. The rest of your SUV managed to avoid touching the top of my hood by mere millimeters, while you remained a casual 2 feet from the car in front of you. I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation for your careless parking job. Perhaps you were rushing inside to fix the problems in our apartment, like the busted doors or the backed-up sink or your child's tantrums (though I haven't seen the results yet...). Whatever the reason, please avoid parking so poorly in the future. It would really be great.